Do you want to find a way to save money on the cleaning supplies that you buy every month? That would be cool, wouldn’t it? Admittedly, every mom needs window cleaning agents, laundry and dishwashing detergents and vacuum bags to name but just a few of them. If you care to keep a budget, you will see that every month, you spend a needless amount on them. The good news though is that you can cut down on your cleaning supplies budget without neglecting any cleaning duty.

Six Things to do that will slice your cleaning supplies budget:

1) Make whatever you can at home

Homemade is the new trend, why aren’t you taking advantage of it? With just a little information that you can readily find online, you will be able to make your own cleaning agents for the toilet and bathroom, for windows and even for your granite counters.

Do not buy paper towels. Use cloth rags for wiping things. Rags are washable and reusable, paper towels are not.

2) Use baking soda and vinegar to your advantage

Every kitchen has baking soda and vinegar. You can use these two compounds for cleaning and they do a dazzling job all the time. Mix substantial proportions of these two and then use the combination to clean stains on almost all types of surfaces from tables, counters to floors. You can also use them individually. For example, vinegar is a great floor cleaner and baking soda is a good deodorant.

3)Buy with discount coupons

You can become a deal hunter in homecare magazines, product manufacturer websites and even local dailies. If you are buying online, you will have to use coupon code. When you find a coupon, ensure it is valid for the items that you want and you will save money. The good thing is that you get a discount for stuff that you would have bought anyway.

4) Buy generic

It is good to buy organic cleaning supplies, but they are costly. Generic products are way cheaper than their organic counterparts and they may or may not do a similar job. However, to know what works, try as many generic products as possible until you find the right one and then use that henceforth. Combining low cost generic cleaning products with a cheap vacuum cleaner can save you a good amount of money and keep your home neat and allergen free.

5) Buy in large quantity

Prices can only go up in future. Therefore, if you find a cheap generic cleaning agent in the supermarket and you know its prowess, buy it in large quantity. Another benefit is that cleaning supplies stay potent for a long time, some for years. When you go to the store, do not pick what is in the front row on the shelf. Pick what is far behind as products that are close to their expiry date are kept on the front row.

6) Read the directions and always use a smaller amount than advised

That is right. Most manufacturers would you like to go back to the store again sooner than is necessary. Firstly, read the instructions for use. You have probably been using more than enough. Secondly, whatever quantity the manufacturer has given, reduce it a little. That way, your supplies will last much longer.

All the running around like a headless chicken, the baying children, the dog chewing the carpet, the cat clawing the sofas, the vacuuming, the laundry, the homework, the office work and so on, require nothing short of a supermom. Yet, speed has become your way of life, much like the 2003 movie Cheaper by the Dozen. You cannot even sleep, you do not eat enough food, you are so used to taking care of the needs of others you have simply forgotten yours … well, you are headed for a big breakdown, sooner than later.

But these things have to be done, one way or the other. So in this short article, we will explore a few ways in which you can be a supermom in a healthy way:

Do not feel guilty when you take a little you-time

Your children and your partner will take you on a long guilt trip on this one, but do not let them deter you from having some you-time. In fact, you should grab all the time that you can get with relish for believe it or not, that time does not come forth too often. It does not mean that you do not love your children, you do, a lot too. It just means that when you are relaxed and happy, you will love them in a much better way.

“Not feeling guilty” is easier said than done with all the societal norms that you have to break. You see, a mom is seen as a superbeing who should sacrifice herself for the sake of her children. But before you start feeling guilty for taking some time off motherhood, think … if you go down with depression, what will happen to your children then. Stay healthy, you are still a supermom.

You are number one – the most important asset

You are your biggest asset and you can only give that which you have first given yourself. If you do not love yourself enough, how are you going to be able to love your partner, your children and your friends? It will be a hard feat. Instead of giving your children a lot of “empty” time, give them lesser but high quality time. As soon as your children are old enough to do things for themselves, engage them.

They can organize their rooms, make their bed, feed themselves and do much more, but you have to engage them. That way, you will be left with some time on your hands as you will not be doing everything yourself. Child labor? Really? It is not. You are teaching them responsibility. Give them duties without feeling guilty. It makes them feel important, at least until they reach teenage.

Rally your family to your side

You sacrifice for them, so the one thing they should do is support you in your endeavors. Sit all of them down, and let them know that you need some time for yourself. Let your children understand why you have to delegate duties to them so that you can have some time for yourself. They may not get it the first time, but when you start not being there for them 100%, at least they will not be caught by surprise.

Regain your fervor for life

What is the one thing that you would indulge in and feel happy even when you were not paid for it? You need to rediscover your passion. This is something that is exclusive to you, something in which you can lose yourself all the time. When your children are all grown up and gone, all you will remain with is your passion. If you do not know what your passion is, find out and then start setting time aside for it every week.

About Esther

Esther Caroline Battista is an Avon rep whose goal in life is to be the best mom and wife ever! On her blog she reviews the best of the best products that she recommends all moms use. You can get in touch with Esther anytime at esther@e-c-b.net.